Absolutely loved this place. We initially walked up and could not figure out how to get in until we saw the doorbell. The bar is divided in Two sections ... East and West Berlin and having just come back from a trip to this beautiful German city it made the more interesting. Also gin, gin, gin they have a gin wall and the most interesting cocktails make with the aforementioned spirit. Comfortable couches, great music and atmosphere make this a must visit while in Melbourne read more

Berlin Bar - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Epic hidden cocktail bar with a theme you'll have to see to believe, I even wrote a blog about it :) https://socialeventsmelbourne.com.au/berlin-bar/ read more

We made it to Berlin! I had heard about this place numerous times through a friend, and expected way more than what was actually there. Maybe I should be blaming my friend who described it to me... Pros: One side is pretty posh, the other is supposedly more "raggedy." I did like that you wait to get in, after ringing a doorbell and that everyone is guaranteed to get a table with seats. It's right one floor up from House of Maximon. Cons: Because you are seated to a table, that can make some people feel obligated to get a drink even if you were here just to have a look around the bar. All cocktails are 20+ and every beer there is a German wheat beer. Also, do not order chips here, you are just asking for a salt overload. read more

It is so rare that I hand out the old one star, but in this case it is truly well deserved. I have never encountered a Business that both had it so right and simultaneously had it so wrong. What is going on Berlin Bar? Born of such a clever concept, East and West Germany separated by the wall, an opulent room and a bunker room. Sounds great and when you hear about this you imagine a fantastic evening of how this could be both a classy lounge and a filthy nightclub at the same time, right? Well that's what I thought. Maybe that was my mistake. What Berlin Bar gives you, is opulent and bunker both decorated fabulously with fantastic staff- whom you only get table service from (rarely)- and music so loud that you can not even hear anyone who isn't a centimetre away from you. Oh and no dancing. Plus there is some guy going around to tables doing magic tricks. I was so bored and sober. I couldn't get a staff member to my table to take my money to give me alcohol to save me from their horrible venue! It was like truly being in East Germany! Not to mention the air conditioning only worked on one side. It was horrifying. It was truly one of the worst nights I have ever had. I thought it was a joke. Please sit here quietly, listening to this terrible loud music, watch German propaganda and be stone cold sober. It's a shame, because it was SO much potential! read more

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Berlin Bar was a really cool spot to end the night. You will need to climb the stairs to level two, then buzz the doorbell and wait patiently for someone to let you in. The plus is that you will be seated without a booking. The decor is very original, supposedly different in each section although I enjoyed the overall look and feel of it. A cute table overlooking the bar if you can swing it, perfect for a date night. Otherwise there are plush booths, white stools, and even bunk beds to share. Two bars and table service makes for a great night. There is a creative cocktail menu map that suggests drinks based on your preferences (sweet, sour, strong, etc.) so you are sure to find something you like. My drink was prepared well and presented in beautiful fashion. I'll definitely return with out of town visitors as this is a cool niche bar with a great vibe. read more

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Their lunch special is to die for. If you are hungry and want something the will fill you up, than order the lamb shank. For 25 you get the entree and a beer. The Wagyu beef burger is also very tasty. We ordered one cooked medium and it was the tastiest burger I have ever ate. The lamb shank is savory amd tangy with vegetables that accompany it well. Defintely coming back here. read more

Berlin Bar - Here we have a delicious lamb shack, big enough to share and the mouth watering wagyu beef burger. - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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So this bar is split into two, East and West Berlin with different themes to reflect this. Which I thought was kinda cool. Its also the bar on the top floor not the one below, so sometimes there is a queue. Beers are good, service is good, vibe is good, it's GOOD. Your glass is empty, someone will come and ask if you want another beer which sometimes can take a while but hey, when it's busy... What more can you say really, go and have a chat while drinking so kick ass beers! read more

Briefly looking at other Yelpers' reviews it is quite clear to see such a large discrepancy about their thoughts on Berlin Bar. I can see both sides of the coin and agree with both. The thing about places like Berlin Bar (and say The Attic above Black Pearl) is that they tread a very thin line between trying to be an exclusive place to drink and overstepping the mark to piss off their customers. They should be more accommodating to their customers and also bear in mind how much it costs to frequent such places. As for the concept and the drinks, I was really impressed with Berlin Bar. Anyone that loves the film Goodbye Lenin would probably love the concept too. Their cocktails are beautifully made and have the price tag to match. I wouldn't choose to come here regularly myself but friends in hospo love it. read more

Berlin Bar - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

After walking down the wrong alleyway and witnessing a display of public urination at its finest, I breathed a sigh of relief when we finally reached the correct alley and entrance to Berlin Bar. I had no idea it was up three flights of stairs, but that's fine, it just made me work up a thirst. A gentleman greeted us outside the door and introduced us to both the West side and East side. I was dressed kinda grungy so felt more comfortable in the East. We sat on stools overlooking the bar which turned out to be thoroughly entertaining as we watched the bartenders shake it up. I ordered a cocktail from the winter warmer selection (by accident, didn't know it was warm lol) but wowzers, it was set afire with a butane torch and all I could see was a brilliant blue flame of whiskey being poured from one mixing pot to the other, a spectacle that was missed by everyone else sitting by the tables, and so it felt like a private show for two. My cocktail, called Speyside Spitfire, was garnished with 4 succulent, sweet black cherries nestled on a toothpick. I ravished them pretty quickly (can I get a plate next time omg!). The drink itself was just unadulterated bliss, I loved how the cherry brandy complimented the whiskey so well - I've never tried this mix before, it was 10/10 for me! Definitely the cocktail to have on a cold winter's eve! I would say the only let down was that there was only one waitress (that I saw) so service was a tad slow, but it was a quiet catch up type of evening, I wasn't out to get trashed, so without any pressure to keep buying drinks I was able to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy good company. Danke schön :) read more

Berlin Bar - Speyside Spitfire - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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I had previously rated this place 3/5 but am now giving 1/5 and would give it "0" if I could. I have never felt unwelcome in a bar in Melbourne but the attitude of the staff here and the service were galling. The frustration of this experience was so high that I, and I have never done this before, actively discourage people from giving this place their custom. If I was the owner of this venue I would be embarrassed to have THE worst staff of any bar in Melbourne, full stop. It's a shame because the space is actually quite neat. So.... 1) My friend and I enter and let them know that we have a party of 8 - we are told that this it is "not acceptable" to have that many people...a quick glance around the bar...it is empty. 2) We ask if we can be seated at a larger table (remember the bar is empty) - no you can only have the two seated table. 3) We ask if we can go to the 'East' side - no it's not open yet. Literally, literally five minutes later two other people walk in and are taken to the 'East' side. 4) We get the cocktail menu - no prices 5) Some of our friends arrive - 10 minutes after us...they are not allowed to sit next to us, at the empty table, but are taken to the 'East' side. 6) We get up to move to be next to them - the actual quote - "You should inform me before you start playing games"...right...despite us telling you that we were waiting for people before we waked in and asking to be seated at a larger table. 7) Now seated next to our friends two more walk in and are not allowed to enter because our party is too large (4 people at this stage). The bar is still basically empty at this stage. We ask if they can simply be seated at another table, rather than with us - nein! They are not allowed in - so if they had just said they weren't with us, it would have been fine! 8) An average beer is $13! read more

Hmmm, to be flat out honest I didn't even notice/register the so called apparent division of east and west. it's all the same to me well in the dimly lit surrounds anyway. I did notice the bunk beds. Curious. Put beds in a place specifically designed for drinking and alcohol. It would make for an amusing mix at least once a week I'm sure. Didn't really get to try many of the cocktails, they're all $19-$20 I think. I've tried all of the beers on the list, so that was a miss. The tequlia based cocktail, with blood in it's theme was pretty good. Upon ordering a "Daquri" a friend was informed, "we're out of limes so here's a margarita instead" Uh, what? anyway, the time spent here has been enjoyable so far. The going into the prison styled door was quite cool for the first time, and once there, it doesn't prove that hard to find. No issues with the staff, they all seem fine, but I might need to see this place in full light to get a better idea of it's layout and design. read more

Been meaning to get here for ages on the words from friends who raved, and pleased to find Berlin Bar lives up to the hype. Yes, the theme is all a bit of a novelty, from having to press a buzzer to be welcomed in, to the introductory tour of the east/west rooms, and it does feel as if you've stumbled into an immersive theatre experience (wouldn't surprise me to find the bar-staff are all also actors), but let's face it - that's probably why you're here! We got the cocktail of the month special - which came complete with a smoked glass to add a bit more theatre to the experience - and also a boiler-maker of spiced rum and accompanying German beer (of course). Overall the drinks menu looks carefully cultivated to the point where I very much doubt you can go wrong with your selection. You wouldn't go every week as the novelty would surely fade, but it's a fantastic spot to take friends and out-of-towners to show off one of the very cool bars we are lucky enough to have here. read more

I love a themed bar, there is so much opportunity for fun! Berlin Bar started out well - down a dark lane way and having to ring a door bell to gain admittance, all add the the occasion. The bar was much smaller than I was expecting, but I didn't think that was a problem.The west looks like a fairly normal bar, it's on the east that the theme comes into play. With bunk beds, bath tub and iron storage boxes as the decor you can take some funny photos and enjoy being somewhere slightly different. The bar staff are friendly and knowledgeable, don't be scared to order from the bar rather than the initial drinks menu you are given (it's mainly cocktails @ $20 a pop). For me this bar is for a fun drink before moving on elsewhere, staying here all evening could prove pretty pricey. read more

I cannot say that I'm a fan. At. All. Had a booking, and when I arrived just after the rest of my group (who was inside, drinking), I was told that I could not come inside. They were 'full'. After about 15 minutes of waiting and trying, through my friends, to get let in, I made my way up the stairs and past the door buzzer. ...the only people there were my friends. With whom I booked my reservation. I'm sorry, wasn't the bar 'full'? Were the cocktails and bottle of champagne not enough spending? Or did we give you too much work to do that you didn't want another person with another drink order? The bar isn't that cool, once you're in. Oh, and the prices are high. Oh, and the service never got better than what I got when I was talking through the buzzer while I was waiting to get in... read more

Awesome themed Bar! For those who havn't made the long trek from Eurotrash to Berlin Bar (which is next door) you are missing out, after 3 flights of stairs and an exclusive entry styled door bell you find yourself entering in to West Berlin Circa 1945. Beautiful layout in this cosy bar. Take a quick right and you enter over the Berlin Wall into East Berlin with a strong Communist feel to it. Barbed wire, Bunk beds to sit on make this a must see. Oh yeah and they served amazing cocktails as well! I am glad to tick this one off the bucket list. read more

To be honest, I would have liked it if East Berlin was a bit more grungy, and both sides were a bit more packed. This place probably had its day, but that day seems to have passed. Worth a visit for a theme bar. Drinks are good, if a little slow (on both sides). The roast duck, wattleseed and dandelion root brandy and pumkin chai were both unique and quite tasty. read more

Spending just a few days in Melbourne means having to choose wisely which bars to try out in the evenings -we wanted to try every cool bar we had heard of but had to stay reasonable; such is life-. We ended up going up the stairs of the Berlin Bar, taking a few pictures of the lovely light garlands all over the ceiling. Then, when you get at the door, you just have to ring and wait. A waiter came to welcome us and explain a bit of the concept to us. Really liked the fact of being able to choose between the 2 universes: West Berlin VS East Berlin! After having a look at both rooms, since West Berlin didn't look that exotic to us, we settled for East Berlin: the decoration is quite different -you can even expect to find bunk beds-, though I admit I would have expected something even more special (come on, East Berlin guys!). I also found the place a bit too dark. Loved the menu, especially the Germany cocktail map -didn't really pay attention to the rest, however our neighbour's currywurst looked pretty appealing!- which is really funny. Some cocktail mixes are pretty audacious, I chose the Angela Merkel which was really good -sweet, fruity- though it didn't have anything really special, and it was a bit expensive -every cocktail is 20 dollars- Not sure I would come back but it was nice trying it once anyway! read more

Almost an iconic Melbourne bar, it's the kind of place you can take out of towners and scream "LOOK HOW COOL MELBOURNE IS!!!" Kidding. (Not kidding). Cocktails are amazing, and the gin list is A+++. Staff are friendly and attentive, and you can see they know their stuff. A definite if you're looking for pre-drinks or for a nice place to have a cosy bevvy. read more

We were looking for a place close to our hotel to grab a few libations, and after a little bit of research, Berlin Bar seemed like a nice place to try out. As others have written, it's hidden away on one of the small laneways and is on the 2nd floor; the only real indication of where it is on the outside is a small sign with a lion on it that says 'Berlin'. Once you arrive, you do need to buzz to get in; as we showed up around 5 PM on a Friday afternoon, there was no wait at all to be welcomed in and introduced to a seat. The theme may be a little over the top (e.g. hanging a picture of JFK riding around in Dallas at the moment right before he was assassinated seemed a tad garish and unrelated), but overall I did like the theme - the 'Western side feels a bit more opulent (and reminiscent of many speakeasies), whereas the Eastern side (which we peered into briefly) is definitely a bit more stark. Perhaps unsurprisingly / in the theme of the political ideology, if you come with a larger group, you will want to end up on the Eastern side, as it has more open space and larger tables to congregate at. There were some snacks available to munch on, and we did grab the popcorn chicken. It's actually quite good and a pretty solid size for A$12, and the chicken is fried nicely and dusted with a nice mix of salt and spice. The drinks, naturally, are what most folks come here for to begin with, and while you can grab wine or beer if you really want to, the cocktails here are excellent and should be sampled. As someone who doesn't really have any real expertise in cocktails, it's hard to say if the 'mapping' of the cocktails (which is superimposed upon a map of the city) is accurate. What I can say is that all of the 3 drinks I had were delicious, with the charcoal-infused mezcal drink 'Doomsday' sticking out for having a unique, bold flavor that captures the essence of its name. My wife's mocktail was also quite good, derived only from a few suggestions around flavors that she provided. I have heard that it can get busier here later at night, but if you show up early, you will have your pick of seats and plenty of space. It's definitely worth paying a visit, and having a few pre-dinner drinks, as we did, seemed to be the right way to go. Whenever I make it back to this part of the world, I'll definitely make sure to pay a visit back here again. read more

Incredible atmosphere and delish cocktails. The menus are fantastic and I love map tracking myself to another brilliant cocktail. My favourite the Angela Merkel. The staff are very attentive and friendly. Will be back read more

Berlin Bar - The incredible comfy bed. Berlin offers amazing cocktails and I beautiful place to relax - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

I have a soft spot for themed bars and helpful bartenders. So the Berlin Bar gets an A-Ok in my book. We arrived later in the evening when the bartender had more time to chat and make recommendations. There is a decent selection of spirits behind the bar, but there is no full menu available anywhere and apparently the list online is outdated. The menu available at the tables steers people to the higher priced drinks: $20 cocktails and $13+ beer. The guys behind the bar took a little time to chat about some of the liquors that were available and make some spirits suggestions. So I ended up ordering a cactus vodka drink. The East and West Berlin theme is amusing. The bar is divided into two sections with a posh West side featuring comfy seating and the East side with large wood tables, exposed light fixtures, and bunk-bed. Guess who insisted on bunk-bed photos at the end of the night... While pricey, I'd have no qualms about returning the Berlin Bar for a drink. read more

My fellow reviewers have captured beautifully the theme of this bar. Ring the doorbell, be let in and sent to a table. It's quite exciting, the cocktails seem bizarre but have clearly been created with both the theme and the taste experience in mind. Roast Duck IN a cocktail? Don't mind if I do (and for the record, it was unlike anything I've ever tried before but delicious). So I'll talk about what it's like to go to Berlin Bar. What it's like to sit in a bar (especially on the East Side's luxury) that is, essentially, glorifying and commodifying the aftermath of one of the worst events in the 20th century. Yeah, it's weird. I think what confused my poor little brain the most was that I was very quickly sucked into the experience and felt that yes, I was in an exclusive but secret club, right down to the point where I didn't want to look outside and see Berlin circa 1950 on the ground. Am I one of those "capitalist pigs"? Am I American? Am I German? Am I a spy? Who am I? What role is this? Should I be wearing red lipstick and looking sultry? Oh shut up, Jess, and drink your cocktail. A very successful theme, albeit a little disturbing in its success. read more

Berlin Bar - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Will go back to the Love Parade drinks. Deliciousness in a glass with a heart lollipop to top it off. Read other reviews for décor details etc. I'm just in it for the Love Parade. read more

Berlin Bar is a trendy cocktail bar that is separated into two very distinct parts. The first bar represents the lavish Capitalist East Berlin, and is the vision of decadence with plush velvet couches, a large Klimt mural and gold walls. The adjoining bar represents Communist East Berlin, and is decked out like a war bunker, with glass-covered bathtubs for tables and war memorabilia all around. To access the bars, you have to ring a doorbell at the top of a dark flight of stairs, whereby you are transferred to your final destination (East or West) by a dapper German in a tux. For a concept that could have easily fallen into silly, kitsch territory, Berlin Bar is actually a very successful exercise in style and atmosphere. This is helped by the fact that most of the immaculately dressed bar staff are actually German (or at least European) and speak with thick accents (a very nice touch). The cocktails at Berlin Bar are really good. They're not cheap, at around the $20 mark, but they're definitely worth it. Make sure to try the Love Parade. Tastes insanely good, and has some serious kick to it! read more

Berlin Bar - Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Berlin Bar really is an awesome concept. Make your way up the steep staircase and you're sure to kept waiting in line. It's not so much that this place is always heaving with people, but rather that they try and regulate the numbers. In other instances this may seem more than a little wanky, but here it works well. You'll be thankful that you aren't crammed elbow to elbow with the after work crowd. Once you've been ushered inside you have to make a choice: Western opulence or Soviet era kitsch? Funnily enough (and anyone who as actually been to Berlin will say similar) the East side is a whole lot more fun. Outside of the ritzy confines and private table service of the West, you can sit back amongst the communist bunkers and relax. At $19, cocktails aren't cheap but they certainly are good. Some classic and others German inspired (The Great Dictator, Checkpoint Charlie) they are definitely worth a try. My particular favorite is the Love Parade, a mixture of Dutch vodka, vanilla, strawberry, apple and citrus. Bright pink in colour, it comes served inside a glass jar and garnished with a heart-shaped lollipop. read more

I could reiterate the points so perfectly made by the fellow reviews of Berlin Bar. They spoke of the style, poise and cleverness of this establishment. But you've heard all that before. Instead I will tell you about the cocktail that singlehandedly changed my life. Roast Duck, Wattleseed, & Dandelion Root. The list of libations here at Berlin might be the most extraordinarily unusual and innovative I've seen in a good long while. These mixologists are not afraid to pair their savory with their sweet in a way most bars haven't even dared to think of before. I toyed between the Caramel & Wasabi and the Watermellon & Fennel, but I couldn't have seen a cocktail with duck as an ingredient and not tried it, so I went as far out on a limb as I could. Or so I thought. The well dressed and well spoked bartender winked at me when I ordered and went back to start concocting. I got lost in conversation for a couple minutes and looked back to see liquid fire being poured back and forth between two metal cups. Holy hell, what's happening!? Come to find out, it was the roasting process for the duck fat that would later find its way into my cocktail, combined with French brandy, plum, dandelion root, wattleseed and celery, and finished with lemon oil. It's hard to put the taste into words... I think you might just have to try it for yourself. I will just say, however, that the seemingly strange mash of ingredients come together to make a taste so harmonious you will second guess yourself for second guessing it. And please, I know what I'm talking about so please, don't second guess me here. read more

Kitschy sort of place. Have to know where you're going. Up two flight of stairs. Ring the bell and wait. First room I believe was the West side or the American backed side and the second room was the Soviet backed side. The Soviet side was much more populated. I sat on both sides and checked out all the decorations and catches with the knowledgeable barteneders. Friendly. read more

A couple friends and I came here last night and I was very impressed even as I walked up the stairs to get into the bar itself. To enter you have to buzz a doorbell and wait to be allowed in, at which point you are led inside and shown off the two sides of the bar. It's divided into a spartan east German and a decadent west German side, with the east being the louder part of the bar by design and the west being less rowdy. We sat at a booth in the west. There were delightful snacks like currywurst and gummy bears for purchase and a wide selection of house drinks. I had four cocktails myself. 1. Champagne Bitte- This was off their old cocktail menu. They ran both menus this week while they change over. I enjoyed it, 6/10. 2. Das Kribbeln- Like drinking a vanilla milkshake crafted by angels. One of the best cocktails I've ever had. 9/10 3. Luftwaffe Sour- Nothing special. Drinkable. 5/10 4. Cosmopolitan- Cant go wrong with a Cosmo and this one was delightful. 7/10 read more

One of the coolest places I've been to. Hidden away in a small lane, you have to go up the stairs and ring a doorbell to be let in. Once inside the girl asked which side we would like to sit on east or west. We chose the east, the cocktails were amazing and the decor was awesome. read more

Heard about this place on some website about hidden Melbourne bars and with my emphatic love for Berlin, myself and a couple of friends thought to give it a try. If you're not paying attention it's easy to miss the place hidden somewhere in the laneways of Chinatown. One there, go up a couole of flights, ring the buzzer and wait. Bar another pair we were the only ones in the bar but that was okay for a Sunday night I guess. The bar is different. Torn between two worlds it is split 50/50 drawing inspiration from the divide between East and West Germany. Decor is fsscinating with bizarre artworks and signs. We chose to sit in the East German section which had a black and white German film playing on the projector on one of the walls (no sound) and a very sort of grungy East Berlin vibe. The lady serving us was nice and the cocktails were yummy! We even had the bartender impress us with his fire skills while making what I can only assume was a Blazer. Would I come back here? Yes, but hopefully next time it'll be abit busier on perhaps a Friday or Saturday night. read more

DO NOT come here if you are in a large group. Extremely rigid and very rude. They seated a big group of us in an area which will obviously not fit everyone, and then make a big fuss when we want to sit in other areas (even though the bar is obviously empty on a Friday night). Highly pretentious and not reflecting the friendly German hospitality I'm used to. Better off going to Hofbrahaus where you will definitely enjou genuine friendly service (and not snobbish pretentious attitude from the waiters) read more

Great idea!!!! Very fun and interesting. The cocktails are yummy too!!!! We had a very fun night from entering the venue to when we left. A great idea! read more

Really interesting place. Drink in East Berlin for sure.

We walk in and there is a line formed in the stairwell. When we are eventually let inside, the bar is only half full. It is this air of false pretence that is the hallmark of Berlin Bar. There are two sides to the bar, East and West, two different types of chair is about all - very profound. The cocktails start at $20 irrespective of their ingredients. The brief cocktail list, which the wait staff have clearly not yet mastered is unexciting and does not venture outside of the standard dimly-lit-room-masquerading-as-upscale-cocktail-bar fare. When a member of our party orders an Old Fashioned, they are met with a 'What's that?' Apparently the drink is impossible, as tonight the bar is only making the 8 or so drinks on the cocktail menu. If you really need to impress someone who is incredibly easily impressed, this place is for you. If you want to drink a nice cocktail, made by a brilliant bartender, in a bar with some novelty to it - walk down the road to Bar Americano. read more